Nebraskans hold candle light vigil for health care reform

A few hundred people gathered in front of the Nebraska State Capitol last night to rally for and against bringing a debate on the health care reform bill.

Supporters held a candlelight vigil in front of the north entrance of the Capitol, where two religious leaders and a small business owner spoke for the crowd of seniors, parents, children and dogs. Later, the group marched to the Capitol to urge Sens. Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns to bring the health care reform bill to debate and an eventual vote.

"We're hoping that this will really send a message to the senators," said Jennifer Carter, director of the health care access program with Nebraska Appleseed, a nonpartisan public interest group. "We have the faith community, traditional advocates, providers, businesses, farmers – everybody working together."

Across the street, signs read "Just Because ‘We Can' Doesn't Mean We Should" and "Read the Constitution. Does it Mention Health Care?"

Kurt Hammond, a 27-year-old with a wife and child, feared his monthly bill would nearly double under the reform. Even now, he said, his house has no television because his family's money goes toward rent and health care.

"There is no doubt that there needs to be reform, but is it reform if you're pricing me out of the market?" said Hammond, field director for Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska. "This is kind of a last stand because if this is brought to debate, we lose a good chance for some of those concessions that we dearly want to see (to be) brought up."

Nelson is considered one of four influential senators who could determine the outcome of health care reform. Demonstrators and their counters across the street stood in the dark and cold to take advantage of having such an instrumental hand in close proximity.

"Nebraska is crucial," Hammond said. "(We are) unlike almost any other state in the union and can sway – hopefully – our representative Sen. Nelson."

Carter said Nebraskans have generally been engaged in the issue, and the vigil would be a chance to "ensure that Nebraskans' voices are heard front and center."

In contrast to a rowdy protest or rally, the vigil was meant to highlight the gravity and human aspect of the debate, said Priscilla Pekas with Change that Works Nebraska, a grassroots organization pushing a progressive agenda in Congress.

"We are focusing on the fact that we think it's a moral imperative that health care reform happen," Pekas said. "In this case, we are holding it in memory of people who have died because they haven't had health care reform or people who are ill because they can't get health insurance."

Mike Marvin was one of those people. After he retired from executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees in July, he was unemployed and without health insurance for a few weeks. In that time, he was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and an enlarged prostate.

"I cannot purchase health care that's on the market right now," said Marvin, now with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

But counter-demonstrator John Massie had little sympathy. Massie, who has no health insurance, said his 10 years' experience working in health care taught him that quality goes down when things are offered for free.

Although Massie said he supports reform, he is not behind the plan that's on the table.
"Less personal responsibility," Massie said. "I think that's what makes (the health care reform bill) attractive to these (supporters)."

Fellow critics agreed.

Air Force veteran Richard Ethridge stood near the Capitol, holding a sign in each hand and asking when "people are going to stand up and be responsible for themselves."

"I don't expect someone to take their money and give it to me. I think that's theft," Ethridge said. "We don't need any government Robin Hood."

The groups chanted their slogans and cheered when drivers honked in approval. Each side had people with and without health care, many worried about themselves or their families and most with some personal story and reason for being there.

"Both sides – on both sides of the street here – care about those who don't have (health care)," Hammond said. "We're not arguing about the ends. ... We're arguing about the means, which is how we're going to get there."
andreavasquez@dailynebraskan.com